Great Tweet! You'd better believe we'll be watching for MINI USA's reply!

 

I might be a minority of one, but I think you should have called Customer Relations first rather than make a public tweet.

I know you were not happy with your dealer, and from your post more than likely with some justification, but our cars (your's, mine, and everyone's) future resale values are affected by the reliability and service issues that others have experienced and/or voiced, and as such taking a possible one dealer issue and going twitter megaphone was not yet in order.

I'm not even particularly trying to criticize you in particular, but rather using this as a teaching example for all of us to consider and/or a topic to discuss.

I also hope that if Customer Relations makes this situation better or shows the regard the dealer should have, that you also publicly tweet some sort of "thank you for resolving this" in addition to reporting back here.

Flame suit on. Comment done...

 

That's a fair point of view, however social media is probably the best way to get answers in my opinion. Do you look at reviews online before booking a hotel? I do, I also write some. And I always update with the company's response, if there is one.

Keeps them honest, forces them to admit publicly what the problem is and how they are going to remedy it.

 

I agree with you. We don't know his level of frustration, though.

I had an issue with my current car, details of which can be found on NAM if you want to dig. After discussing it a number of times with my dealer AND with MINI USA, with no resolution, I finally revealed the name of the dealer. I also sent the manager a link to the discussion. I really hated to do it. This was a dealer I'd used for years before I moved to my current city, and I was handshake-and-a-hug close to the manager. It worked though--I finally got action immediately (minutes) on something I'd been working on for a year.

When it was resolved, of course I immediately posted on the thread that it was all worked out. I gave the manager a link to that posting, too. Fair is fair.

 

I agree that there is absolutely no way this should be happening. This is what will get the car a bad name - why would you put something that was a problem on a previous model on a new car?
http://autos.ca.msn.com/editors-pick...nitial-quality
"BMW’s Mini brand may be a good illustration of J.D. Power’s assertion that its initial quality survey is a reliable predictor of long-term durability. The British-made cars have long been ranked in the Mariana Trench of dependability results, and its initial quality scores also indicate that the iconic brand has a lot of room for improvement even in the early days of ownership. Part of the issue may stem from the diminutive car’s adventurous interior design and unconventional controls, but Internet chatter among Mini pilots reveals there’s more to it than that."

 

Today I received an email from my MA. He apologized for the problem and asked that I make an appointment with service to have a gasket replaced and any damage corrected--possibly buffing out any etching and replacing the bonnet stripes. Agreed, the problem should have never occurred but my MA's response is exactly what I expect. I'll call tomorrow to set up an appointment and follow up.

 

I got an email from the Sacramento dealership yesterday:

Okay, thank you. It sounds like the direction we would take to address your concern is this: check your vehicle to see if there are any non-return valves in place. If not, install two valves. If yes, we may want to try installing a new washer jet and new valves. I’m afraid that option #2 may not fix the problem but I am willing to try it. Let me know your thoughts.

This is really all I wanted. If there really isn't a fix, then I'm happy they tried.

 

Sounds a whole lot better than the previous response! There's a fix. I can't think of a modern car on the road that doesn't have windshield washers, and etched paint and stripes aren't common.

 

Interesting, not seeing "non return valves" called out in this parts diagram: http://mini.sewellparts.com/oem-cata...-F56-2014.html

Here's the diagram for the 2013: http://mini.sewellparts.com/oem-cata...6LCI-2013.html

Notice that the 2014 did change the part, i.e. I suspect they tried to fix the problem. If you look at the F56 drawing, it even looks as if the feeding tube splits in two at the nozzle -- almost as if there's a return path. Pure speculation, but I suspect that for those who have leaving issues, that check valve at the nozzle is missing or defective or still has a failure mode. But, the statements earlier that asked "how could you leave this issue unaddressed" may very well be wrong. Unsuccessful in fixing something is different / somewhat different than not even trying.

Perhaps A- for effort and C- for result.

 

I have the leaky wiper duct issue only on the drivers side and only after my car sits in the hot sun all day at work. It has been making a small puddle right next to the duct and so far has been easily wiped off everyday leaving no stain. I emailed my SA and MA yesterday. My dealer is new, 1st in the state and my F56 was the 1st car sold in June when they opened.My MA has sold minis before and said he is well aware of this issue in previous minis. My SA says there IS a TSB for this for the F56 now and they will be getting back to me on getting it in for the fix. They seem to be all over it. These little things dont bother me as much now that my service department is in town and not 2.5 hours away.

 

That you, Gloria?

 

Can you have them give you numbers or text so I can show the Sac Dealer when I take it in?

Also Mini did call me and was very understanding when I explained what had happened. Nothing she could really do, but she promised to follow up and it's good for them to know what's going on at the dealers.

She hadn't heard of anything yet, but if the TSB is recent, then they wouldn't know about it yet.

 

I really wish they had just not put the washer jets on the bonnet again.

 

Yep, found the leak a week after we talked about it.

SA says "You are correct, we have found that exact TSB for the F56. We have ordered what are called pressure dampers. I will give you a call as soon as we get that part in and we will get it installed for you to correct the issue. If you need anything else, please feel free to email or call me anytime"

I will try to find out the TSB number and report back.

 

Can anyone find the TSB online? I've been looking but no luck.

 

Here is the part called the Impuls-Eliminator. Thinking that's is the check valve for both those lines, check under your hood, is there one only one side. or one before both ? Not there at all ?

#3 Part # 61667404885

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/61667404885/ES2745229/



This looks like the check valve for the F56.


--------------------------
--------------------------


There was check valve for the R56 / R53 for the rear stock, "Weeping rear washer" and front R50 R53 / R52 fix for weeping front.

Part # 61688229249

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/61688229249/



Thanks

 

It seems I spoke too soon. Noticed the driver side nozzle leaking again, last night. Guess I get to make my first trip to the MINI service department soon.

 

Edit: Wrong! the etching is still there if seen in the right light. Will need to get the dealer to look into fixing the ducts and repairing the etching.

 

Picked up my F56 Wednesday. This showed up yesterday. My SA said they got a bulletin and are ordering check valves for a fix. They will let me know when they come in.

 

Not nearly as bad as some on here, I noticed this earlier today. Only my driver's side is exhibiting this behavior. The photo doesn't capture the white efflorecence well, but it is easy to see from afar in person. It hasn't dripped down the hood (bonnet ) for me... yet.

Can someone post a TSB number? I'm going to have the dealer address it when it is in for its first oil change.

 

mini is doing the same thing,, do you have the TSB number?

 

Mine was "fixed" today. Took the dealer about 30 minutes. Been hesitant to run the washers because they washed the car and I like to maximize my clean car time. So sorry I didn't ask the tsb number while I was there, but I've emailed the SA and will report back. Was told today that mine was the 1st they've fixed (new dealer) but that they have another guy coming in for one and they've ordered 5 more of the whatever it takes to fix it and they anticipate they'll use them. We will see.

 

Mine's due in August--hope they have the things in stock or installed on the production line. I'm not going to put up with this! Cost me $1,000 to fix the paint when it happened after my warranty expired, and the clear coat just peeled up in sheets after a freeze. And I hadn't even had a dribble until then.

 

Mine is ordered as well. Car has been washed multiple times and there's definitely a stain around the nozzle. Will have to address that eventually.

 

Here is a pic of mine leaking, I have an appointment at the dealer tomorrow.